About Us
UH Hilo’s Center for Global Education and Exchange was established to give opportunities for student and faculty exchange, study abroad programs, and to develop international agreements with other institutions of higher education.
Meet the Staff
Audrey S. Furukawa, Executive Director, Center for Global Education and Exchange
Coming soon!
Carolina G. C. Lam, Director, Global Education
Greetings! As an alumni of UH Hilo, I am thrilled and honored to be working at my alma mater in the area of international education. I strongly believe that every one should have an opportunity to go abroad – for a summer, semester or even year! Our office will be happy to assist you in finding the right program for you and with applying for scholarships to go abroad. So, check us out!
Todd Shumway, Director, Global Exchange
I love to travel, and, since I can't travel all the time, working with at the Center for Global Education and Exchange is a great job because, in our office, the world comes to us. We have a warm welcoming office for students from all over the world, and we enjoy meeting and helping our exchange students. I have been working as an ESL teacher for more than ten years. My passions are playing soccer, reading, being with my friends and family, and of course...traveling. I look forward to seeing you in beautiful Hilo.
Howie Shih, Program Coordinator
I grew up in Taiwan all my life and I love it there. I graduated from UH Hilo, majoring in Business Administration. I like spending time with my friends whether it be going to the beach or camping. I am open-minded and I like to make a lot of friends who come from different countries. I love laughing and experience new things.
Meet the Global Education and Exchange Leaders
Global Education and Exchange Leaders (GELS): dynamic, talented and amazing students willing to assist and welcome the new international exchange students as well as the UH Hilo students interested in going abroad.
Hyun Ji Lee, GEL
Aloha!! I’m Hyunji Lee, people call me “Jimmy” I’m a linguistics major and I really like listening to music and chatting with my friends. And I also am really interested in studying Japanese. I’m really happy to help all of you as a GEL and look forward to meeting you all!! Oh, and one more thing I want to tell you is… if you are interested in Korean language & cultures, please join my “Korean language & culture program” aka Something Korean.
Christeena Dale Kelley, GEL
Aloha! I am from New Kent County Virginia. This is my third year at the University
of Hawai’i at Hilo. My major is Marine
Science with a minor in Biology. I enjoy photography
so during the summer I have worked as a digital photographer. I am a
very studious person and love science, so if
you ever need help just ask.
Priscilla Vasquez, GEL
Aloha! My name is Priscilla Vasquez. I am a senior and a linguistics major with a minor in political science. I have lived all around the U.S. and have traveled/studied in Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. I love learning different languages and learning about new places.
Yuko Miyazato, GEL
Aloha! I'm Yuko Miyazato from Okinawa, Japan. I have been in Hilo for 4 years, and my 5th year is coming soon. I love the nature and people in Hilo. After I completed ESL classes I enrolled in UH Hilo as a psychology major. I am happy to get to know new students through this job. I hope all of you have great experiences and see various cultures while you study at UH Hilo.
RieTakemoto, GEL
Hi, I'm Rie. I am majoring in communications. I grew up in Japan until high school, and then I decided to study abroad in America. I graduated from my community college in Washington State, and I came to UHH in the spring semester of 2007. I love to go to the beach. I like swimming, surfing, bodyboarding, and snorkeling. Please say “hi” to me if you see me at the beach!!
Aaron Ouchi, GEL
Aloha!! I’m a second year student at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo. I’m a Marine Science/Mathematics major with a Biology minor. As you can tell, science and mathematics are my forte but I also enjoy learning different languages. I’m from Honolulu on the island of Oahu. I am currently also working as a tutor with the Upward Bound program. I'm available to help tutor people if they so desire. Some of my hobbies include video gaming, puzzles, golf, watching UH Manoa volleyball and anime, and computers. Feel free to contact me at any time ^-^
Hyun Sang An, GEL
You can call me simply “AN.” That’s the name I go by. In Korea my major was Advertising and Public Relations and now I am studying Business Administration. As a GEL, I am glad to meet you all and I am happy to help you. The Center for Global Education and Exchange always opens for you. This will be your nest as long as you stay here. So feel free to come and see us. One more thing I want to announce is Honua the monthly news letter is looking for enthusiastic and creative reporters. Hope your everything goes very well here in Hawaii. See you around. Aloha, An
Justin Mahon Kuo, GEL
I am majoring in Linguistics at UH Hilo. I enjoy scuba diving, surfing, and body boarding. I believe to be a bright, patient, and inspiring individual. I am originally from Seattle, Washington and decided one day that I wanted go to school in a relaxing place I could think of. Bamm!!! Hawai’i came to mind, but darn it my SAT scores were not good enough. I applied anyway and I got in. So you know don't give up on your dreams.